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plural pitfalls
(figurative) A potential, unsuspected, hidden problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious. examples
(literal) A type of trap consisting of a concealed pit in the ground, which the victim is supposed to fall into and not be able to get out from. examples
(computing) An antipattern. examples
(mining) Subsidence below ground in a mine, which can cause the ground level above to drop. quotations examples
This pitfall, beginning in February and finishing in May, resulted in a drop of about 3 ft. in the platform level; during this period it was necessary to level the track three times weekly, and impose a service slack of 15 m.p.h. The subsidence appears now to have finished, and normal speed is once again permitted.
1939 June, “Pertinent Paragraphs: Pitfalls”, in Railway Magazine, page 456